Products Recalled to Protect Children

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and two companies have issued widespread recalls of defective products that pose a safety hazard to children.

In the first case, Lowe’s has recalled 11 million Roman shades and roll-up blinds. The move is part of a farther-reaching recall that began in December 2009 and has so far involved 25 retailers. Lowe’s sold the largest number of blinds and shades, followed by Ikea. Walmart, JCPenney, Ethan Allen and Jo-Anne Fabric and Craft Stores also sold significant quantities.

The Roman shades and blinds were sold between 1999 and January 2005. Both products can cause strangulation because a child playing could become entangled in the cords and the fabric or plastic blinds.

The recall began after the CPSC learned about two incidents of children who became entangled in the Roman shade’s cord. Neither suffered personal injury. But after the recall was initiated, another 4-year-old boy did suffer personal injury, including rope burn to his neck after getting caught in the cord.

No incidents of personal injury have been reported for the roll-up blinds from this particular store.

The CPSC has received five reports of wrongful deaths and 16 near strangulations in Roman shades since 2006. It has received three reports of accidents leading to deaths in roll-up blinds since 2001. The commission recommends consumers use cordless blinds and shades in homes where children visit. If your blinds and shades have cords, keep them inaccessible and install tension devices.

The other product recalled was The First Years American Red Cross Cabinet Swing Locks. About 41,300 locks were sold at Toys R Us, Babies R Us and other retailers.
The locks were designed to keep children from accessing cabinets.